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About East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 11, 2016)
REGION Thursday, February 11, 2016 East Oregonian Page 3A PENDLETON HERMISTON Girl returns ‘large amount’ of lost cash City tries new tact for budget discussions By JADE MCDOWELL East Oregonian A Hermiston student is getting kudos from the Hermiston Police Depart- ment and the community after turning money she found in to the police instead of keeping it for herself. Elizabeth Doherty, 10, got a visit and a letter of thanks from chief Jason Edmiston on Tuesday after she found a distinctive money clip with what the department described as a “fairly large amount of cash” over the weekend. A post about it on the department’s page had more than 1,170 likes and 87 comments complimenting her as of Wednesday after- noon. “It’s kind of weird but it’s good,” Elizabeth said of all the attention her good deed is getting. Her parents Melissa and Ben Doherty didn’t expect all of the attention, either. “This whole thing has caught my wife and I by surprise,” Ben said. He was with Elizabeth when she pointed out the money to him and wanted to try and return it to its owner. He said she didn’t seem to struggle with deciding whether to turn in the money, and he’s sure many other people in the community would have done the same thing. “I don’t think there was any big test of will to over- amenities would be elimi- nated if the city continued to slash the budget. “I don’t think anybody The city of Pendleton will take a different approach to wants to (eliminate ameni- discussing the budget this ties),” he said. “You’re talking about quality of year. In addition to the usual life. You can cut all the balanced budget proposals, amenities in town and you City Manager Robb Corbett get no quality of life and you has asked department heads might as well shut down to write budget proposals your entire economic devel- where they request the opment engine entirely. money they need to run their We need to keep trying to communicate that.” department optimally. The council named Additionally, the city intends to schedule two the budget a top priority, evening meetings to followed by identifying supplement the usual round VXUSOXV SURSHUW\ ¿QGLQJ of budget meetings in the new sources of revenue and spring to give the public putting together a communi- easier access to the budget cations plan. The council also added process and demonstrate the difference between what the a new priority — building a city wants and needs and QHZ¿UHVWDWLRQ Wood wanted the council what it can afford. At workshop Tuesday, to consider pursuing a the council discussed this ERQG IRU D QHZ ¿UH KDOO in November, but council new approach. Councilor Al Plute said members would need to get staff also need to create a their “butts in gear” to do it. Plute said the council budget that cut 30 percent from the general fund, in needed to know how much order to show the public that money it would take to the city cannot cover its obli- PDLQWDLQDQHZ¿UHVWDWLRQ “When you build that gations no matter how deep. “It doesn’t make any QHZ ¿UH VWDWLRQ ZLWK DOO difference how many of the bells and whistles and WKHVHWKLQJV\RX¿QG\RX¶UH all the technological stuff not going to be able to cut that its going to have, when your way out of it,” he said. WKDW VWXII QHHGV WR EH ¿[HG “However, until you start LWV QRW JHWWLQJ ¿[HG E\ D cutting, you’re not going to handyman,” Plute said. “It’s bring the public around to JRLQJWREHJHWWLQJ¿[HGE\ the fact that they need to pay a guy making $60 to $70 to more money. They’ve asked $100 an hour or even more.” Fire Chief Mike Ciraulo for it. I say give it to them.” Mayor Phillip Houk said his staff is currently said amenities like Olney compiling the maintenance Cemetery are going to be FRVWV RI WKH FXUUHQW ¿UH consistent money losers for stations and talking with the city, but they have an consultants of what the important value in resident’s projected costs of the new ¿UHVWDWLRQZRXOGEH lives. ——— Councilor Chuck Wood Contact Antonio Sierra agreed with Plute, saying that the city needed to show at asierra@eastoregonian. the public what kind of com or 541-966-0836. By ANTONIO SIERRA East Oregonian Staff photo by Jade McDowell Elizabeth Doherty at Rocky Heights Elementary. come,” he said. Elizabeth said after she spotted the money she and her dad walked around to some nearby businesses to ask if anyone was looking for it, then drove to the police department. The doors were ORFNHGEXWDQRI¿FHUVSRWWHG them and asked if he could help and they turned the money over to him. On Tuesday her teacher at Rocky Heights Elementary got a call asking if the police could talk to the class, and a few minutes later Edmiston showed up and presented her with a department patch and a letter of recognition. In the letter, he said being a SROLFHRI¿FHUFDQEHGLI¿FXOW EHFDXVH RI¿FHUV VSHQG VR much time dealing with people who hurt others. “You are none of these things, and people like you are the reason why the men and women of the Herm- iston Police Department put their uniforms on every day and come to work to make a positive impact on this community,” he wrote. He thanked Elizabeth for her integrity and said that ZKHQ WKH GHSDUWPHQW ¿QGV the owner of the money they will be sure to let the person know they got it back because of an “amazing 10-year-old girl who did the right thing.” The rightful owner of the money can call the depart- ment’s evidence/property technician at 541-667-5108 to describe the item and make arrangements to get it back. ——— Contact Jade McDowell at jmcdowell@eastorego- nian.com or 541-564-4536. HERMISTON Bridal show provides one-stop wedding planning By TAMMY MALGESINI East Oregonian Wedding planning is made easier as people have an opportunity to talk to wedding professionals, gather informa- tion and get inspired during the Eastern Oregon Bridal Show. “Brides are often totally unprepared for the amount of planning a wedding takes. After all, it’s usually a once in a lifetime event,” said Stacey Miles, the show’s producer. Working in the wedding industry since 2008, Miles owns Uniquely, I Do and Stone Ridge Event Center. The Tri-Cities entrepreneur enjoys working with brides and wedding professionals. Producing the show with Daniell McAfee, owner of H&M Photography, Miles is passionate about supporting wedding professionals and ensuring brides have the resources available to plan the wedding of their dreams. The Eastern Oregon Bridal Show is Sunday, Feb. 21 from noon to 4 p.m. at the Hermiston Conference Center, 415 S. Highway 395. It includes a wedding fashion show at 1:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 in advance or $7 at the door. Brides-to-be who buy a $5 ticket in advance can have someone accompany them for free, or for $10 she can bring up to 10 guests with her to the show. The bridal show features wedding JRZQVEULGHVPDLGVÀRZHUJLUOGUHVVHV creative designers, photographers, health and beauty experts and much more. Some people come just for the fashion show to see all the beautiful gowns, Miles said. “It is a day to learn, gather infor- mation, meet vendors and simply have fun,” Miles said. “Brides will be able BRIEFLY Hansell’s water bill passes Senate Staff photo by Tammy Malgesini Sean Perkins of Desert Sounds Mobile DJ announces a bridal wear fashion show during a past Eastern Oregon Bridal Show. The event, which offers one-stop wedding planning, is Sunday, Feb. 21 at the Hermiston Conference Center. WR WDVWH VDPSOHV VPHOO ÀRZHUV ORRN through picture books, try on and buy wedding dresses. We encourage the professionals attending our show to be as interactive as possible.” Most of the vendors hold drawings, discounts, giveaways and promotions at their booths. In addition, the bridal show will give away $250 to one lucky bride to spend on her wedding. Also, there will be other prizes and gifts. The brides, Miles said, will go home with information, tools and resources that will be invaluable as they plan their special day. For more information, contact stacey@eobridalshow.com, 509-948- 6974 or visit www.eobridalshow.com. ——— Contact Community Editor Tammy Malgesini at tmalgesini@eastorego- nian.com or 541-564-4539 SALEM — The Oregon Senate has passed a bill to help homeowners conserve water during times of drought. Senate Bill 1529, sponsored by Bill Hansell, R-Athena, passed 21-7 on Feb. 9, with two senators excused from voting. It now goes to the Oregon House for further consideration. As written, the bill would prohibit homeowner associations from requiring members to water their lawns while a state-declared drought is in effect. Gov. Kate Brown declared a drought emergency in two-thirds of Oregon counties in 2015, including Umatilla and Morrow counties. “Some homeowners who belong to a homeowner association were required by HOA regulations to water their lawns when cities might not have enough water to make it through the summer,” Hansell said. “This is a common sense approach to conserve water and protect homeowners from unreasonable HOA requirements during a drought.” 6%ZDVWKH¿UVW Republican-sponsored bill to pass the Senate during the 2016 short legislative session. Fundraiser set for Ferguison family IONE — A spaghetti IHHGWREHQH¿W0LNH Ferguison, who is battling cancer, is planned this weekend in Ione. The event is Friday beginning at 4:30 p.m. in the cafeteria at Ione Community School, 445 Spring St. In addition to spaghetti, the meal includes salad, bread and a brownie. The cost is $6, with all proceeds going to Ferguison and his family. For more information, contact bridgett.alldritt@ ionesd.org. Mystery stench invades Pendleton East Oregonian Pendleton stinks. At least it stunk on Wednesday afternoon. The cause, though, was GLI¿FXOWWRSLQSRLQW Pendleton public works director Bob Patterson said the city’s wastewater treat- ment plant is not the source of the stench. “Even on the worst summer day, our plant doesn’t smell like it does outside right now,” Patterson said in an email. He said his best guess is that a cattle feedlot or dairy operation is behind the stench. “I believe the source of the odor is from the west end of Umatilla County and Morrow County, and the wind conditions are just right to bring the odor up river — coming out of the northwest,” he stated. The National Weather Service reported stagnant air this week is over much of Umatilla County and the eastern Columbia River Gorge. A “ridge of high pressure” has trapped “pollutants at or near the surface,” according to an advisory from the service. Tom Hack is an air quality specialist with the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality in 3HQGOHWRQ7KHVWHQFK¿OOLQJ nostrils in Pendleton “was not good,” he said, but he was unable to pinpoint just where it was coming from. He said if it is manure it is not likely to be dangerous, although people who are sensitive to the smell should stay indoors. Hack noted that wind patterns are expected to shift Thursday and Friday, so the stench should not stick around long. The Place for Lovebirds S ATURDAY & S UNDAY , F EB . 13 & 14 A Drama By Tennessee Williams Bleu Cheese Topped Sirloin Fire Roasted Salmon with Mango Salsa Live Music Saturday AT 9 PM IN THE SALOON DAKOTA BROWN F R E E - N O C O V E R CALL FOR RESERVATIONS Saloon Opens at 4 PM • Dinner beginning at 5 PM 541.278.1100 H AMLEY S TEAK H OUSE COURT & MAIN • DOWNTOWN PENDLETON BY PERMISSION OF DRAMATISTS PLAY SERVICE January 29, 30, February 5, 6, 7*, 12, 13, 14* 2016 ltww.org | 1130 E. Sumach Directed by Jef Schlicher Produced by Marion Inglis & Judy Schlicher For more information or questions, call 509-529-3683. * Matinee performance
